Forager Dies After Fall While Searching for Wild Mushrooms in Lampang

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

An incident has occurred in the mountainous forests of Lampang, where a local villager lost his life after falling from a steep cliff while foraging for seasonal wild mushrooms.

According to reports, the man was collecting hed thob mushrooms, a popular and highly-prized delicacy that grows abundantly in the region during the rainy season. The incident took place in a remote forested area of Sop Prap Subdistrict, Sop Prap District, Lampang Province.

Officials from the Wiang Kosai National Park, including the park’s head, Mr. Prawit Jaikam, confirmed the incident via a public statement and images shared on social media. He noted that numerous villagers are currently entering the forest to collect wild mushrooms such as hed thob, hed khaiand other native species, which are either consumed locally or sold for income.

The victim reportedly slipped and fell from a steep cliff, hitting his head on rocks in a stream bed below. Rangers from the park’s Sop Prap protection unit (Unit VSO.5) were dispatched to the scene to assist in the rescue operation. The injured man was carried out of the forest and rushed to Sop Prap Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.

“This is a heartbreaking reminder of how dangerous these forested and mountainous areas can be,” said Mr. Prawit. “We urge all local residents and foragers to take the utmost care when venturing into such terrain. The risk of falling or suffering serious injury is real, especially in slippery or steep areas.”

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-26.